Nearly 900,000 visitors enter Iraq through border crossings, official says

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's Border Crossings Authority said on Thursday that about 900,000 visitors have entered the country through its border ports since 1 Muharram, with roughly 515,000 people having departed through the same crossings during the period. Authority head Lt. Gen. Omar al-Waili said the figures reflect sustained movement tied to the Arbaeen pilgrimage season and other religious visits. Speaking to the state news agency, al-Waili said that from 1 Safar to date, around 500,000 visitors were recorded entering Iraq, while nearly 150,000 people have left. He added that all border crossings are operating at full capacity around the clock, with entry and exit procedures expedited to handle the volume of travelers. Al-Waili said the operations are being carried out under the direct oversight of the Prime Minister and the field supervision of the head of the High-Level Security and Service Commission. He added that the authority continues to monitor visitor movements without interruption and that data will be updated regularly throughout the period.